Brazilian Senate approves unified protocol for rape victims

The Brazilian Senate has approved a bill establishing a unified protocol for the care of victims of rape and other forms of violence against women, children, adolescents, and vulnerable individuals. The legislation, PL 2.525/2024, aims to standardize procedures across health units and police stations to ensure immediate medical and protective assistance.

Under the new rules, failure to follow the protocol can be classified as institutional violence if it leads to the re-victimization of the individual or hinders investigations. The law mandates that security professionals ensure immediate referral to public health units, while health units must forward medical reports to the appropriate authorities following an assessment of violence. The measure seeks to improve criminal prosecution and strengthen public policies for rights protection, following data showing over 84,000 rape victims in Brazil in 2025.